Clothinga small disk or similar hard object attached to clothing and serving as a fastener when passed through a hole or loop:He couldn't fasten the top button near his collar.
a badge or emblem with a name or slogan, for wearing on a jacket, etc.:campaign buttons.
a small knob or disk pressed to start a machine, open a door, etc.:He pushed the button and the elevator door closed.
v.
to fasten or attach with or as if with a button or buttons: [~ + object (+ up)]Button your coat (up).[~ (+ up) + object]Button (up) your coat.
[no object] to be capable of being buttoned: This coat buttonsin the front.
Idioms
Informal Terms, Idiomsbutton up, [no object]
Also, button (up) one's lip. to keep silent, as to keep a secret:Better button up until the deal goes through.
Idioms, Informal Terms(right) on the button, exactly at the desired time, goal, etc.:She came at ten o'clock, right on the button.
Clothinga small disk, knob, or the like for sewing or otherwise attaching to an article, as of clothing, serving as a fastening when passed through a buttonhole or loop.
anything resembling a button, esp. in being small and round, as any of various candies, ornaments, tags, identification badges, reflectors, markers, etc.
a badge or emblem bearing a name, slogan, identifying figure, etc., for wear on the lapel, dress, etc.:campaign buttons.
any small knob or disk pressed to activate an electric circuit, release a spring, or otherwise operate or open a machine, small door, toy, etc.
Botanya bud or other protuberant part of a plant.
Fungi[Mycol.]
a young or undeveloped mushroom.
any protuberant part of a fungus.
Zoologyany of various small parts or structures resembling a button, as the rattle at the tip of the tail in a very young rattlesnake.
Informal Terms, Sport[Boxing. Informal.]the point of the chin.
BuildingAlso called turn button. a fastener for a door, window, etc., having two arms and rotating on a pivot that is attached to the frame.
Metallurgy(in assaying) a small globule or lump of metal at the bottom of a crucible after fusion.
Sport[Fencing.]the protective, blunting knob fixed to the point of a foil.
Time[Horol.]crown (def. 19).
Computing(in a graphical user interface) any of the small, labeled, button-shaped areas upon which the user can click, as with a mouse, to choose an option.
Informal Terms, Idiomshave all one's buttons, to be mentally competent, alert, and sane; have all one's wits:At 106 she still has all her buttons.
Informal Termson the button, exactly as desired, expected, specified, etc.:The prediction for snow was right on the button.
v.t.
to fasten with a button or buttons:She quickly buttoned her coat.
to insert (a button) in a buttonhole or loop:He buttoned the top button of his shirt.
to provide (something) with a button or buttons.
v.i.
to be capable of being buttoned:This coat buttons, but that one zips.
Informal Termsbutton up:
Also, button one's lip.to become or keep silent.
to fasten securely; close up:Within a short time, everything on the submarine was buttoned up.
to fasten fully or put on, esp. an outer garment:Button up before going out.
to complete successfully; finish:The report is all buttoned up.
Anglo-French: rosehip, button, stud; Middle French boton, equivalent. to boter to butt3 + -on noun, nominal suffix
Middle English boto(u)n 1275–1325
but′ton•er, n. but′ton•like′, adj.
But•ton(but′n),USA pronunciationn.Richard Tot•ten(tot′n),USA pronunciation (Dick), born 1929, U.S. figure skater. button, +n.
Computing(in a graphical user interface) any of the small, labeled, button-shaped areas upon which the user can click, as with a mouse, to choose an option.
a disc or knob of plastic, wood, etc, attached to a garment, etc, usually for fastening two surfaces together by passing it through a buttonhole or loop
a small round object, such as any of various sweets, decorations, or badges
a small disc that completes an electric circuit when pushed, as one that operates a doorbell or machine
any rounded knoblike part or organ, such as an unripe mushroom
the protective knob fixed to the point of a foil
an object of no value (esp in the phrase not worth a button)
to fasten with a button or buttons
(transitive)to provide with buttons
(transitive)to hit (an opponent) with the button of one's foil
Etymology: 14th Century: from Old French boton, from boter to thrust, butt, of Germanic origin; see butt3ˈbuttonerˈbuttonlessˈbuttony
'belly button' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):